Archive for August, 2013

With the arrival of fall semester and the return of the students, it is time for tabling again at two of the big events of the beginning of the fall season. Plazafest and Welcome Week are back. On Thursday, August 29, 2013 SLPS will be tabling from 10am-2pm giving free tarot card readings and more information about the Salt Lake Pagan Society. If you’re in the area, stop by the booth on the west lawn of the U of U Student Union Building. At 3pm there will be a full moon ritual at the flag pole at president’s circle. Hope to see you all there!

Thanks to the few members who came to the full moon ritual on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 8pm. August brings the birthday of Krishna and so an offering to him was presented along with some chants by MC Yogi from his Elephant Power album. A sacred fire was lit and some full moon drumming too place as part of meditations and relaxation after the long weekend and before classes officially start on Monday, August 26, 2013. It was a spiritual evening under the blessing of the moon goddess.

Everyone had a great time on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 3pm at the Ogden Canyon Hot Springs. This trip brought new moon cleansing energy as well as earth powers that reset, recharged, healed and washed clean those who attended. The springs are set back off the highway and next to the river at the mouth of the canyon. They average about 135 F. “It’s a fresh and cleansing experience to soak in them for a good half hour and then jump in the cold running water and to let all your troubles wash away” said Piggy. Everyone reported sleeping better and more soundly afterwards. “You can’t get any better to the living earth than having her minerals and salts wash over you straight from the source” said SLPS President Muad’Dib.

Thanks to all who came and attended Lughnasadh on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 6pm. The sabbat kicked off with the usual preparations of cleaning the temple site, pine cone, and doggie poo sweeps, and set up. A pre ritual crafting activity took place with several society members making Corn Mothers. At this time of harvest of the grains, corn or maize as it was known in South America, was the sustaining grain for the peoples there. The Corn Mother was believed to be the responsible for production and care of her peoples through providing corn. Since this is a crop Lughnasadh, it was appropriate to make and decorate them to her and to Lugh.

The ritual began with the usual open rites and cleansing rituals. A few special items decorated the altar including a Lughnasadh corn designed table cloth made by Woman Between the Wolves, a corn chalice, a black phallus candle, and the crowning center item a Lugh painting of Lugh lying against a hill side with an erect uncut phallus of acrylic on canvas done by Kurt Shoopman in Kentucky. Other items included seasonal flowers, branches, penis bread, and the first fruits of the harvest. Lugh and his consort Cernunnos spoke to the guests. Afterwards people enjoyed special cheese and chive penis bread made by Woman Between the Wolves and said what they were grateful for at this time of thanksgiving. President Muad’Dib performed a druid rite to Sul, after which he performed Celtic reels on the violin, honoring Lugh, Cernunnos, and Sul. Other offerings, libations, and blessing were performed by the society members including a blessing of a Ganesh painting and a wood burned Ingvas. Iyata Bond blessed everyone with a Lughnasadh oil made by her for the occasion.

The feasting included an organic blueberry cobbler made by Cheyanne Opheiknes, roasted vegetables and hamburgers. All in all, a wonderful time!